10 of the best kept
secrets, and 5 BONUS
tips!
Secret #1 – Drive Sensibly
Estimated Savings: 5 to 22% savings
Speeding, rapid acceleration
and constant breaking are
all symptoms of aggressive
driving that waste gas. Pay
attention to the traffic
flow to maintain a more
constant speed. You can
lower gas mileage by as much
as 22 percent on the highway
and 5 percent on city
streets by driving sensibly.
Source: The US Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA)
Secret #2 – Use the Right Fuel
Estimated Savings: 2% savings
You can improve
your gas mileage by
up to 2 percent
when using the
grade of oil
recommended by the
manufacturer.
Source: EPA
Secret #3 – Check Gas Cap
Estimated Savings: Gallons of gas per year
Gas caps that are damaged loose or missing can
cause gallons of gas to vaporize, thus sending
you to the pump sooner than necessary.
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Secret #4 – Drop the Weight
Estimated Savings: 2% or greater savings
Avoid keeping unnecessary, heavy items in your
vehicle. An extra 100 lbs. could reduce your mpg
by up to 2 percent based on
the percentage of
extra weight relative to the
vehicle’s total weight, which
affects smaller cars more than
larger ones. If there is
something you do not really
need, do not pack it. Remove
rooftop carriers unless they
are really needed. Source: EPA
Secret #5 – Get a Plan
Estimated Savings: Gallons of gas per year
Trips to the grocery store, dry cleaners and
shopping centers should be planned so you are
not wasting time retracting your route. If you
have multiple vehicles, drive the one that has
the better mileage. Make a list of what you
need so you don’t forget something and have to
make a return trip. In stop and go traffic
fuel consumption can increase by as much as 20
percent. Sources: EPA, FTC.
Secret #6 – Keep Tires Properly Inflated
Estimated Savings: 3.3% Savings
When tires aren’t inflated properly, it’s like driving with
the parking brake on and that can cause an increase in gas
consumption. You can improve your gas mileage by around
3.3% by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure.
Check your tires’ pressure regularly, especially after a
sharp drop in the temperature. Recheck your tire pressure
when the weather gets warmer. Source: EPA
Secret #7 – Replace Dirty Air Filter
Estimated Savings: 10% Savings
Replacing a clogged air filter
can improve your vehicles gas
mileage by as much as 10%. The
air
filter
keeps
d irty
particles from damaging the
inside of your engine. A dirty
air filter restricts the flow
of air into the engine, which
harms performance and economy.
Air filters are easy to check and change; remove the
filter and hold it up to the sun. A clear air filter
serves a dual purpose: It saves gas and protects your
engine.
Secret #8 – Bypass High-Octane Gas
Estimated Savings: 15 cents per liter
Regular octane fuel is recommended for most cars. Buying
a high-octane gasoline most likely won’t improve your
car’s performance but will add to your fuel cost. Don’t
waste your money on high grade gasoline if your vehicle
doesn’t need it. There is no horsepower or mileage to be
gained and petroleum
companies don’t care if you
spend the extra few cents a
gallon needlessly. If your
vehicle only requires 87
octane and you feed it 91,
you’re wasting cash! Source:
FTC.
Secret #9 – Maintain the Speed Limit
Estimated Savings: 20% savings
Gas Mileage usually
decreases rapidly at speeds
above 55 mph. Observing the
speed limit and using cruise
control on dry, flat wide
open highways will help
improve fuel efficiency by
maintaining an even speed.
Increasing your cruising
speed from 55 mph to 65 mph
will increase fuel
consumption by about 20%.
Secret #10 – Avoid Long Idles
Estimated Savings: Additional Miles per gallon
Allowing your vehicle to
run idle for longer than
a minute is equivalent
to throwing money out
the window. You are
burning gas, but getting
zero miles per gallon.
Turnoff the car; it
takes less gas to
restart it than what is
being used while sitting
still. Source: Car Care
Council
5 Bonus Tips To Make You Save
Even More $$$ On Gas!!!
Bonus Tip # 1 -
Keep your engine in tune: Fixing a car that is
out of tune or has failed an emission test can boost gas mileage
by about 4 percent. So be sure to give your car regular tune-ups.
You’ll also want to watch out for worn spark plugs. A misfiring
spark plug can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30
percent plus, a poorly maintained vehicle consumes more fuel,
produces higher levels of emissions, requires expensive
repairs, and has a low resale value.
Bonus Tip #2 -
Be as aerodynamic as possible: keep windows up
and sunroof closed. Obviously, your car is going to get its best
mileage when it’s as aerodynamic as possible. Having your
windows open will increase the drag on your car, thus
reducing its gas mileage by 10%, so keep windows closed when
traveling at high speeds.
Bonus Tip #3 -
Avoid prolonged warming of the engine: Even on
cold mornings 30-45 seconds is plenty of time.
Bonus Tip #4 -
Inspect suspension and chassis parts for
occasional misalignment: Bent wheels, axels, bad shocks, broken
springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high
traveling speeds.
Bonus Tip #5 - Use your vehicle’s air conditioner
sparingly: Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10%
to 20%, heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load.
The more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon. Try
opening the windows at low speeds or the fresh air vents to cool
your vehicle.
Thank you
with you.
whenever
thinking
for the chance to share this information
Please accept my invitation to contact us
you have a question about car buying or
about buying a vehicle for a loved one.
Scott Elder, President
Dream Cars Austin
If you’re ready to work with a car dealer who really cares…a dealer,
FOR THE PEOPLE…then please contact us today. We’d be happy to
schedule a totally free consultation
between you and one of our expert
transportation advisors. You can
call ahead to set an appointment
or show up anytime. We’re looking
forward to your visit!
Scott Elder, President
Dream Cars Austin
Dream Cars Austin
(512)937-1600
[email protected]
910 S. Bell Blvd. Cedar Park, TX 78613